Rajya Sabha elections for 27 seats have triggered a fresh numbers battle, with the NDA hoping to cross 150 seats and Congress facing pressure in key states.
Rajya Sabha polls: NDA eyes 150 mark as Congress faces Gujarat setback
The next big political contest will move to the Rajya Sabha, where elections to fill 27 seats are set to test the strength of the ruling NDA and the opposition Congress. With voting scheduled for June 18, the BJP-led alliance is looking to improve its position in the Upper House, while the Congress is dealing with cross-voting concerns and the possibility of losing representation from Gujarat.
The Rajya Sabha elections come after recent state-level political changes that have redrawn party strengths in several assemblies. The Election Commission has announced polls for 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states on June 18, while bypolls will also be held for three additional seats, making the round politically important for both the government and the opposition.
NDA targets bigger Rajya Sabha strength
The BJP is preparing aggressively for the Rajya Sabha contest. According to the report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the BJP central election committee, where the party’s strategy for the Upper House elections was discussed. The NDA currently has a strong position in the Rajya Sabha and expects this round of elections to push its tally beyond 150.
The ruling alliance is projected to win around 17 to 18 of the 27 seats. If this happens, the NDA will move closer to a two-thirds majority in the Upper House, giving it more room to push key bills and reduce dependence on outside support. Earlier this year, the NDA had already improved its Rajya Sabha strength after another round of elections, while the INDIA bloc saw its numbers fall.
Several high-profile leaders are nearing the end of their current Rajya Sabha terms. These include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, Union Minister George Kurian and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. Their seats and possible re-nominations will make this election more closely watched than a routine Upper House contest.
Karnataka is expected to be important for the Congress, as the party has the numbers to secure three seats. Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to return to the Rajya Sabha from the state. In Madhya Pradesh, however, the Congress is in a tighter position. Three seats are up for election there, and the party has just enough support to win one seat. With only a small surplus vote cushion, even minor cross-voting could damage its chances.
The BJP is expected to win two seats in Madhya Pradesh, with George Kurian being seen as one of the possible contenders. For the Congress, the challenge is to select a candidate strong enough to hold its MLAs together, especially after Digvijaya Singh reportedly declined to return to the Rajya Sabha.
Congress faces Gujarat wipeout risk
The biggest embarrassment for the Congress could come from Gujarat. Once a state where the party had a long political presence, Gujarat may now leave the Congress without any Rajya Sabha representation for the first time. Shaktisinh Gohil’s term ends on June 21, and the party does not have enough MLAs to win a seat. Reports say Congress has only 12 MLAs in Gujarat, far below the required strength of 46.
This would be a symbolic blow for the Congress. Losing Rajya Sabha representation from Gujarat would underline how far the party has slipped in a state that remains central to BJP politics. For the BJP, a clean sweep in Gujarat would strengthen its dominance and add to its national Upper House tally.
Rajasthan will also see a direct numbers contest. The BJP is expected to win two seats, while the Congress may win one. Ravneet Singh Bittu is being discussed as a possible BJP contender, while the Congress is reportedly considering former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and party spokesperson Pawan Khera.
In Jharkhand, the Congress is dependent on ally JMM. Two seats are available, including one that fell vacant after the death of Shibu Soren. The Congress hopes the JMM will allow it to contest one of the two seats, but this will depend on alliance negotiations.
The nomination process will be another key stage. The election notification is being issued on June 1, and June 8 is the last date for filing nominations. A total of 24 seats are falling vacant due to completion of terms, including 11 held by BJP MPs and three by its allies. In addition, bypolls will be held for three seats, including one earlier held by Sunetra Pawar and another vacated by Odisha MP Debasish Samantray after he moved from BJD to BJP.
For the BJP, the opportunity is clear: increase numbers, strengthen control in Parliament and push closer to a decisive Upper House majority. For the Congress, the risk is equally clear: cross-voting, loss of state-level presence and deeper weakness in states like Gujarat. The June 18 Rajya Sabha polls may not attract the public attention of a general election, but politically, the numbers could shape the balance of power in Parliament.
